Volunteering Opportunity: Volunteer Research and Campaigns Coordinator with Citizens Advice Hertsmere

Citizens Advice Hertsmere

We provide free, confidential and impartial advice and campaign on big issues affecting people's lives.

Our goal is to help everyone find a way forward, whatever problem they face.

We're an independent charity and part of the Citizens Advice network across England and Wales.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: Hertsmere

Start Date: 27/02/2025
End Date: 31/05/2025

Location: Indoor

Time of day: Weekday Mornings, Weekday Afternoons, To Be Discussed

Practical Considerations: What’s in it for you?
● make a real difference to people’s lives
● learn about a range of areas such as benefits, debt and housing, and how problems in these areas can affect clients
● have a positive impact on someone else’s experience of volunteering with the local Citizens Advice
● meet people and build relationships with new volunteers
● have a positive impact in your community and on broader society

And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

What do you need to have?
You don’t need specific qualifications or skills, but you’ll need to:
● be friendly and approachable
● be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
● have excellent verbal and written communication skills
● be able to understand complex information and explain it (verbally and writing) so that others understand it
● enthusiasm and desire to support and motivate others
● have good IT skills, especially Word and Excel
● be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
● be willing to undertake training in your role

Requirements: Will require a criminal record check (DBS)

Suitable for: 18 – 25 year olds, Aged 26 and over, University students, Older People

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Other

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: No

Full Description:
What will you do?
● Complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role
● Identify common, or unfair, problems that clients come for help about
● Help the R&C Lead understand the cause of a problem, how it affects clients, and what changes could solve the problem (by talking to them, or writing a summary)
● Help to organise a campaign with the aim of raising awareness of the problem. This might involve creating materials, such as newsletters, or presentations, which could be used to explain the issues to others
● Download evidence form data from our IT system into Excel and use that information to create summary reports (monthly, quarterly and annually)
● Input survey data online and help analyse and report on that information
● Check for updates relevant to monitored evidence forms
● Assist the R&C Lead in contacting outside organisations for information relating to evidence forms and R&C campaigns
● Keep the R&C noticeboard up to date
● Review a list of outside organisations to ensure they are still relevant (quarterly)
● Assist the R&C Lead in putting together promotional material and attend community events to promote Citizens Advice